Seniors are typically cautious when making purchasing decisions, especially for large or complex items like electric beds and exoskeleton robots, says Yang. The store personnel understand that senior customers need to fully experience and compare products before feeling confident enough to buy, she adds.
Yang recalls an elderly woman interested in a folding shopping cart that converts into a seat. She returned a few days later to buy two in different colors, saying she wanted to switch them up. On her third visit, she bought two different colored walking sticks to match her outfits.
Walking sticks are one of the store's bestsellers, valued for both practicality and aesthetics. One model features intricate Chinese-style patterns and an enamel-and-brass handle, serving as both a support tool and a fashion accessory. Another model is a foldable cane chair, which can be stored in a backpack and unfolded into a seat, perfect for waiting in queues and travel.
"We found that seniors have high aesthetic standards and prefer elegant, pretty designs over traditionally conservative, dark styles. Products that appeal to younger tastes sell exceptionally well and are nearly sold out. We're preparing to restock," Yang says.
The smart musical instrument area embodies the senior economy and also a dream economy. A traditional violin producer has ventured into creating electric wind instruments, foldable electric pianos, and smart guitars, lowering the entry barrier for players while balancing emotional value and practicality.
"Such instruments are designed specifically for seniors. The electric wind instrument plays a simple score easily, and the electric piano reduces key pressure to prevent finger strain. Also, it is foldable, making it more portable to take to gatherings," says Song.
"We received some user feedback that the electronic screens on instruments are too small and the buttons are labeled only in English. We passed the feedback to manufacturers to better adapt the products for seniors," he continues.
To precisely meet demand, the store has set up a wish wall where seniors can write down their desires, which the store will try to fulfill. Some high-frequency requests, such as wigs, have already been introduced, and others, such as large magnifiers and stair climbers, are being negotiated with manufacturers for introduction or collaboration.
"Some seniors have written wishes like 'I hope my son gets married soon', which we find heartwarming, indicating that the elderly customers view the store as a space to bare their hearts," says Yang.
Some seniors also voice specific needs on site. While the store may not have corresponding products, they actively reach out to relevant manufacturers.
Feng Yuxing, 68, who lost eyesight four years ago, visited the shop seeking smart glasses that can locate, guide, and detect obstacles. Song says a local brand has smart glasses that resemble regular frames, with built-in cameras and microphones for obstacle reporting, real-time voice navigation, and positioning. The store has advised the firm to contact the customer.
Song explains that products at the store will be regularly updated, with plans to introduce both forward-thinking products and mature consumer goods each quarter, balancing variety and practicality. The guiding principle for updates is to focus on the needs of the older people, he says.
The store's current priority is balancing revenue and expenses while streamlining operations. The store is expected to be replicated in other areas of Shanghai to serve more elderly customers, according to Song.
